Where can I find more information on the changes in the life settlement industry?

As the industry evolves, more resources are becoming available to educate interested professionals about the transaction. The following is a list of five tools that can help get producers started and stay up-to-date on the latest changes in the life settlement industry.

1. The Life Insurance Settlement Association (LISA) – LISA is the main organization representing the life settlement industry. The organization hosts a number of educational events each year, including Webcasts, conferences, and meetings that producers can attend. Additionally, LISA offers a newsletter, publication and updates on legislative, regulatory and other industry changes. This organization is also an excellent resource to learn about the key players, such as providers, life expectancy underwriters and brokers, in the industry.
2. Life Settlement Awareness Month® - Each year, Life Settlement Solutions, Inc. hosts Life Settlement Awareness Month® in June. June 2009 marked the fourth year of the event, which featured nearly a dozen free educational webinars and resources for financial and insurance professionals, and investors alike. The live events will not return until June 2010, but the resources are available to download free-of-charge at www.lifesettlementawarenessmonth.com.
3. Industry and Trade Publications – Many insurance and financial-related trade publications are seeing the growth of the life settlement industry and have developed special sections dedicated to covering the latest in the life settlement industry. Further, the industry has become so widely recognized, there are a few publishing organizations, in addition to the Life Insurance Settlement Association, that offer publications and newsletters dedicated solely to the life settlement industry.
4. Continuing Education – There are a few continuing education courses on the life settlement industry available to financial and insurance professionals that give credit toward life-agent and other licensing. At www.lss.webce.com producers can access a 50-state-approved continuing education course on life settlements that offers credit toward life licensing. For information on other available courses, contact the Life Insurance Settlement Association.
5. Industry Events – At most major insurance and financial conventions, life settlement companies will be either exhibiting or presenting in a panel or interactive session. This is an excellent way to spend-one-on-one time with company executives to learn about the industry and the differences in companies. In the past few years, in addition to LISA’s annual convention, many other organizations have begun hosting life-settlement-specific conventions as well. These life settlement conferences cover all aspects of the industry, and provide a wonderful opportunity for attendees to meet and better learn about the key players in the industry.

If you are seeking additional information on the life settlement industry, many life settlement provider and broker Web sites have news and resources sections. Posted on most of these sections, producers can find previously published industry articles, press releases or a free, subscription-based newsletter.